CISA Releases Protecting Our Future: Partnering to Safeguard K-12 Organizations from Cybersecurity Threats

The United States Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) recently released a report on cybersecurity risks facing elementary and secondary schools.  The report provides insight into the current cybersecurity risk landscape, recommendations, and resources to help K-12 schools address systemic cybersecurity risks.  A one page summary of the report’s Key Findings and Recommendations can be found here.    

Accompanying the report, CISA also developed an online toolkit that provides resources, materials, and guidance aligned with each recommendation.

The report emphasizes that changes must come from the top down – leaders must establish and reinforce a cybersecurity culture.  To that end, the intended audience of this report includes school boards, superintendents, district and school administrators, and cybersecurity and IT staff.   

To read the full report and access the toolkit, visit Protecting Our Future: Partnering to Safeguard K-12 Organizations from Cybersecurity Threats.  

To assist school district Members in following these recommendations, please consider the following services provided by POOLPACT:

• Quarterly Cybersecurity Webinars: Hosted by Tony Rucci, we discuss current cybersecurity threats, trends, hacks, and tools to help protect your network.  Click here to register for the March 10, 2023, webinar from 10:00am to 11:00am.    

• Passive Network Assessments (PNA): POOLPACT can provide a passive assessment of your network to identify vulnerabilities and provide recommendations for remediation.  Please contact Marshall Smith or Jarrod Hickman for more information.  

• Risk Management and Education Grant Programs:  To address critical recommendations from a recent PNA or other assessment, POOLPACT can provide a Risk Management Grant to help Members with related expenses.  For cybersecurity related training, POOLPACT’s Education Grant program can assist with costs of the program, travel, room and board.  Use the following links to get more information on Risk Management and Education grants